Hiring Now: Development Director - Tillamook Estuaries Partnership

We’re looking for a Development Director to join the TEP team in Garibaldi, OR.

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP) is seeking a qualified person to communicate their passion for conservation to a strategic audience in order to raise capital funds to design, construct, and operate a new Tillamook Bay Estuary Science Center in Bay City, Oregon. In addition, the Development Director will be seeking federal, state and local grant opportunities that will benefit TEP’s programs, general operations, and other capital projects. The Development Director reports directly to the Executive Director.

More information is provided below on TEP, the job description, and how to apply.

General Job Description

The Development Director (DD) is integral to Tillamook Estuaries Partnership’s high-performing team, and its primary objective is to build relationships with strategic audiences in order to raise the funding necessary for TEP to achieve its vision and mission. The DD will ask individuals, foundations, legislators and businesses directly for cash and in-kind donations. In addition, the DD will apply for state, federal, and private foundation grants. The DD’s role accomplishes this objective by creating and implementing a donor stewardship process, writing grants, and by working collaboratively with TEP’s Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and staff to increase TEP’s visibility within the donor community and local, state, and federal legislators.

How does this role support TEP’s mission?

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is a local grassroots organization, created and sustained by our partners, volunteers, and board members. Our projects focus on estuarine restoration, monitoring, and education. We are a non-regulatory, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and we are proud to be one of 28 National Estuary Programs (NEPs) in the United States and its territories. Like other NEPs, we are guided by our Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).

Our Mission Statement: Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Tillamook County’s watersheds through active stewardship, scientific inquiry, community engagement, and education.

The hallmark of everyone involved in the Partnership is that we truly care about the wellbeing of our local ecosystem and want to ensure it stays healthy for future generations. For us, this is more than a job; it’s a calling.

Primary activities for the Development Director position shall align with fundraising and friend-raising to support all three of TEP’s overarching goals:

Maintain and improve the beneficial uses of estuaries and watersheds for humans and native aquatic and terrestrial species
Conserve and restore ecological functions of Tillamook County’s estuaries and watersheds to benefit native aquatic and terrestrial species and the communities that depend on them
Foster awareness of Tillamook County’s estuaries and watersheds, engage in problem solving, and take action to conserve and enhance our natural resources

This role will support TEP’s mission through a capital campaign to build a new Estuary Science Center, and subsequent annual fundraising for operational expenses and project implementation, that will allow TEP to achieve its overarching goals.

What is this role accountable for?

Raising approximately $10M through a Capital Campaign for TEP’s Estuary Science Center
Raising approximately $2M annually for TEP’s operating expenses and project implementation
Strategic planning and implementation of TEP’s fundraising and friend-raising initiatives
Direct supervision of TEP’s Communications and Community Engagement team members
Representing TEP and enhancing its image on national, regional, and local scales
Identifying federal, state and local grant opportunities that help TEP achieve its goals

How do we measure success?

Identify potential funding sources such as foundation/corporate grants, in-kind donations, government allocations, fundraising events/campaigns and marketing opportunities
Create and implement a Development Strategy with goals and milestones with the Executive Director
Strengthened relationships with partner organizations and expansion of partnerships with new organizations
Annual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are reviewed by TEP leadership, and all job-related goals are being met
Annual TEP work plans are submitted to EPA and all organizational goals are achieved

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Develop and implement our fundraising and friend-raising programs and, by extension, support TEP’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP)
Coordinate and implement the annual Bounty on the Bay fundraiser event
Responsible for expanding the current donor base and increasing donations
Interact with prospective donors daily, and keep appropriate records of emails and documents
Implement effective donor base recruitment strategies
Coordinate TEP support, including grant writing and reporting
Prepare an annual fundraising plan, set annual goals and develop a 5-year fundraising strategy
Prepare knowledgeable and inspiring presentations to potential donors and legislative contacts
Create monthly reports for TEP Board and Development Committee
Provide staff support to volunteer-driven public outreach and community engagement activities, including public relations, promotions, and special events (major donor functions, events and tours, etc.)
Manage Communications and Community Outreach staff on the preparation of promotional materials and community outreach in support of Capital Campaign
Ensure TEP’s brand is being clearly featured in PR and outreach materials
Maintain involvement with external organizations and professional groups that may provide continuing education or build long-term relationships with potential donors/supporters
Maintain fundraising database and auxiliary file systems
Staff lead for the TEP Board Development Committee
Carry out other duties that may be assigned by the Executive Director

General Managerial Responsibilities

Manage Communications and Community Outreach staff to successfully implement TEP’s mission, including identifying staff needs, hiring, onboarding, training and professional development, performance reviews, staff support, time off requests/approvals, timesheet approvals, salary and promotion recommendations, and disciplinary actions
Oversee the program budget, including development, securing funding, and management.
Approve program invoices and oversee staff project budgets and contracts.
Serve as an Officer as assigned (e.g. Safety, Data Quality/Tech, DEIJ/Accessibility, Benefits/HR, Tribal Partnerships)
Represent program when developing and overseeing program implementation of TEP’s CCMP, 5-Year Strategies, and Annual Work Plan
Participate on TEP’s Leadership Team

General Responsibilities

Support TEP staff, Board of Directors, and partners in the development and implementation of CCMP, 5-year strategies, and annual work plans; track accomplishments
Maintain close working relationships with donors; funders; media; local, state, and federal partners; and special interest groups
Represent TEP at meetings, committees, conferences, workshops, and events as needed
Support TEP- and partner-led restoration, monitoring, education, communications, and community engagement programs
Ensure philanthropy and fund development are carried out in keeping with TEP’s values, mission and goals
Communicate TEP’s achievements through reports, quarterly newsletters, website content, and social media postings
Any other duties as assigned

Qualifications for New Hires into Position

Equity and Diversity – The Right Fit, Rather than a Perfect Fit

Studies have shown that underrepresented people often do not apply for professional jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification or requirement listed in a job description. Conversely, people with identities overrepresented in these fields often do not hesitate to apply for jobs even if they do not meet all stated qualifications. TEP does not expect one person to perfectly fit the Development Director job description prior to holding a similar position for several years. TEP wants the right fit, for both the employee and for TEP. Prior experience may be transferable, even if it is outside what is described herein. Training and professional development is available to TEP employees to help improve skills. Passionate and interested people with the core competencies listed above are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Requirements

Outgoing and friendly personality with the ability to meet new people easily and quickly earn confidence
Extensive knowledge of fundraising techniques and sources of funding for nonprofits
Has demonstrated success in grant writing or proposal submission
Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior
Goal oriented with a high attention to detail
Excellent communication and organizational skills
Ability to prioritize tasks to manage multiple projects, adapting as needed to changing priorities, deadlines, and instructions
Demonstrates a concern for accuracy (e.g. regularly produces accurate, thorough, professional work)
Proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google docs, and Adobe or other similar software
Familiarity with video conferencing systems
Proof of valid driver’s license and current auto liability insurance required (i) prior to driving any TEP-owned vehicle and (ii) prior to driving any vehicle, including personal vehicle, for TEP-related business during work hours
Must be able and willing to travel throughout the county and region with occasional further travel

Preferred Skills and Experience

A minimum of five (5) years in direct major gift solicitation experience, especially with five- and six-figure gifts
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business or related field
Experience working with diverse populations and rural communities

Desired Attributes throughout Tenure in this Position

Strong collaboration skills, ability to motivate others, build consensus, and follow through with group decisions.
Self-motivated and able to carry out tasks and respond to situations as they arise with minimal supervision.
Demonstrates a concern for effectiveness (e.g. proactively analyzes current procedures and adapts to changing needs in a timely fashion)
Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior
Effective communications (e.g. respectful and courteous in all verbal and non-verbal communications; considers messaging through DEIJ lens)
Works in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner
Displays a positive attitude toward and enthusiasm for participating in high-performance teams

Working Conditions

Work Location (Where & Getting There)

Work shall be performed primarily at TEP’s main office, which is currently located at 613 Commercial St, Garibaldi, OR 97118. The main office may temporarily move, within Tillamook County, during construction of the new Estuary Science Center. Upon completion of construction, TEP’s main office will relocate to Bay City, OR.

TEP’s Main Office – Located in the Port of Garibaldi. Public transportation buses do not come directly into the Port of Garibaldi. Getting between the TEP office and the nearest stop requires moving approx. 0.4 miles through the Port (some sections of roadway do not have sidewalks) and over railroad tracks. Traffic can be heavy at times with lumber trucks, recreational fishing boats on trailers, passenger vehicles, and the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad train. (Tillamook County is a small, rural community with bus services, but without Uber or Lyft, and extremely limited taxi service.)

Field Locations – The Development Director may need to lead groups to visit TEP’s construction site as well as restoration and monitoring locations. Workspaces in the field may be almost entirely open to the elements. Must be comfortable working in all weather conditions, year-round throughout Tillamook County, and ready to make adaptive plans for adverse weather.

Nursery – The Development Director may occasionally be required to visit TEP’s Native Plant Nursery, located in the Port of Tillamook, adjacent to the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) Camp Tillamook, a minimum-security youth detention facility.

Work Hours (When)

TEP’s full-time staff typically work four 10-hour days each week, 7:00am – 5:30pm, Mondays through Thursdays. Evening and weekend work may be required occasionally to support TEP. The Development Director may be eligible to work an alternative schedule in order to accommodate personal/family needs. Options include (i) an alternate four 10-hour workdays per week, Tues-Fri; and (ii) an alternate five 8-hour workdays per week, Mon-Fri.

This position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule in accordance with TEP’s Workplace Policies and may work up to half of the regularly scheduled work hours remotely from a home office.

An alternative work schedule and the hybrid option are each contingent upon workload and job performance and are at TEP management’s discretion.

Work Environment

Work shall be performed in the office, other indoor venues and outdoor environments. Work assignments may require walking or standing most of a given day, sitting, typing, bending, pulling, reaching, stooping, climbing, crawling, kneeling, lifting up to 20 pounds, and contending with adverse weather conditions requiring special clothing and safety precautions. Walking/hiking may be on uneven surfaces and through rough terrain.

Visits to TEP’s Native Plant Nursery, which is located adjacent to a minimum-security youth detention facility, may include engaging with at-risk, incarcerated youth who are under guarded supervision by the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA).

Work Rules

This position is subject to all TEP policies including, but not limited to, those provided in the Employee Handbook, Fiscal Policy, safety protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). This position is subject to pre-employment background checks and periodic background checks during employment.

The Development Director is expected to follow OYA safety, security, and COVID-19 requirements when at TEP’s native plant nursery.

Work Travel

Travel during work hours for this position will usually be within Tillamook county and the surrounding region. TEP currently has two work trucks, which are typically unavailable for this position.

TEP reimburses those employees who are pre-approved to drive their personal vehicles during company-related travel, excluding commuting to and from work, at the IRS standard mileage rate.

Reasonable accommodation will be made for employees who do not drive or who do not have a personal vehicle, but are required to travel during work hours for TEP-related business.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $80,200 – $111,200 per year, based on a 40-hr week work schedule. The actual offer of compensation shall be dependent upon experience. TEP processes payroll on a monthly basis.

This position is eligible for enrollment in TEP’s comprehensive benefits package. Details on benefits can be provided to candidates during the interview process. An overview of TEP’s current benefits package for full-time employees includes:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Insurance (TEP pays 100% for employees, 80% for spouses and dependent children).
Retirement Program – TEP contributes an additional 7% of the employee’s salary into a 401k, with tiered vesting structure based on years of employment with TEP; employees may also contribute to 401k).
Holidays – 10 federal holidays plus 2 floating holidays.
Vacation – Approx 10.5 days per year (accrual system to be explained upon hire).
Professional development/training budget: $1,250 per year, funding dependent.

The DD position is exempt from the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and applicable state wage and hour laws. TEP’s exempt employees are generally paid on a salary basis, do not earn overtime, and are generally expected to work the hours required to complete their work. TEP values a healthy work-life balance. When an exempt employee is required to work in excess of 40 hours in a given work week, the employee may receive paid time off (“flex time”) equivalent to the number of hours worked over the required 40 hours, to be used as soon as practicable. More information on flex time is in TEP’s Employee Handbook, which will be provided to the successful candidate.

Application Process

To apply, please submit the following documents as either .pdf or Word files by email:

A resume. Applicant’s contact information must include mailing address, phone number, and email address.
A statement of qualifications and interest. The statement of qualifications should describe the applicant’s relevant experience and interest in the position and should not exceed two full, single-spaced pages. Examples of relevant experience include the development and implementation of fundraising strategies, size (in USD$) of capital campaigns managed, number of direct reports supervised, etc.
Three professional references. Each reference must include the person’s name, email address, phone number (if within this United States), and the person’s affiliation (how you know the person, based on your resume).
Please let us know where you saw the job posting to help us improve our communications.

Please email application materials to info@tbnep.org. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 pm Pacific Time on January 6, 2025. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

TEP will review applications by mid-January. All applicants will be contacted by email and advised whether or not they are proceeding to the interview phase of the selection process. Interviews will be conducted in person or via Zoom, depending on the applicant’s location. The preferred start date for this position is February, 2025; the exact date shall be agreed upon by the successful candidate and TEP.

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is an equal opportunity employer. TEP does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran or military status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, application for workers’ compensation benefits, use of statutory protected leave, or any other characteristic or status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws in the administration of its programs or activities. TEP does not harass, intimidate, or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights to participate in actions protected, or oppose actions prohibited, by State of Oregon and Federal civil rights and non-discrimination laws, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights